God works His plan in Joseph's life

Genesis 37:1-4

Now Jacob dwelt in the land where his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan. This is the history of Jacob.

Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brothers. And the lad was with the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives; and Joseph brought a bad report of them to his father.

Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age. Also he made him a tunic of many colours.But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peaceably to him.

I love the character of Joseph. He was a man of great integrity. He knew his God and always wanted to please Him no matter what the cost!

Through Joseph we learn how suffering, no matter how unfair, develops strong character

and deep wisdom.

Genesis 37:5-11: During this time Joseph had two dreams, and shared them with his brothers who already hated him - this didn`t help at all. He was young and impetuous. Telling of how one day they would all bow down to him. They hated him even more!

Genesis 37: 12-36: Jacob sent Joseph with food for his brothers out in the fields where they were feeding the flocks. He found them in Dothan. As they saw him coming they conspired to kill him, but Reuben wouldn`t hear of it. He came up with another plan, wanting to throw him into a pit where he would be found and delivered back to his father.

Some Ishmaelite traders were coming by with their camels bearing goods to sell. So Judah suggested they sell Joseph to them, and they took him with them to Egypt.

The brothers saw an opportunity to cover their sin and lie about Joseph`s whereabouts to their father. By covering his coat with blood, Jacob would think Joseph was taken by wild beasts and killed. Jacob mourned for his son many days.

Genesis 39:1-6

Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. And Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there.

The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the Lordwas with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand.

So Joseph found favour in his sight, and served him.

Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority.

So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had in the house and in the field.

Thus he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand, and he did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate.

We read in Chapter 39:6-22 that Joseph was a handsome man. Potiphar`s wife lusted after him and tried to seduce him several times, but he, being a godly man, resisted her every temptation and ran. She accused him of raping her. Potiphar believed her and had him put into prison.

However Joseph found favour. One person with character stands out among those who possess little of it. The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph’s authority because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper.

We read in Chapter 40:1-4 that Pharaoh was offended by his butler and baker and had them taken to prison where Joseph was.

Genesis 40:5-23: While in there they both had a dream in one night. Joseph noticed they were sad and asked what was the problem and they told of their dreams. Joseph asked God and He revealed the interpretation, which he told to them both. One was good and the other bad. One lived to serve Pharaoh again, the other was executed.

Genesis 40:14: Joseph asked the butler to remember him when it was well with him and get him out of prison.

Genesis 41:1-8: Pharaoh had a dream and was looking for the interpretation. After finding no one, his butler finally remembered Joseph interpreted his dream correctly and told Pharoah, so Pharaoh sent for Joseph.

Genesis 41:16: So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.”

Genesis 41:25-41: God revealed to Joseph the meaning of the two dreams Pharaoh had. There would be 7 years of plenty and 7 years of famine. He was to choose someone to be in charge. Pharaoh decided there was no one as wise as Joseph to be found, so he was placed in charge.

Genesis 41:46: Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt.

Genesis 41:57:So all the countries came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, because the famine was severe in all lands.